Talent, dedication, chemistry, coaching …
The list that describes the improvements this year’s UCLA
club hockey team has made since last year could go on forever.
But perhaps the greatest evidence that this Bruin squad has
improved by leaps and bounds is its 15-5 record compared to its
combined 11-61 record in the previous three seasons.
In their latest triumph, the Bruins won the Crosstown Cup, a
five-game series against USC, for the first time in six years on
Friday. Despite being down 3-1, UCLA came back to take the game
5-3, snagging away city bragging rights for the first time in a
long time.
“The game against USC was the biggest game of the
year,” senior captain Paul Medina said. “It was a tough
game and we had a lot on the line, but the team showed character
even after we were down early. That’s the difference with
this team. We have such a strong desire to win that nothing gets us
down.”
In recent years, the team would often become disheartened after
continually losing. But this year there has been a marked
difference, with the team coming into the season much more focused
and dedicated to improving.
“Last year, players got a bit discouraged and were not
motivated to come to practice, but this year everyone is in good
spirits and comes to practice,” senior forward Ryan Samec
said. “We’re having a good time and have a more
confident and positive attitude, which shows in how we’ve
done this season.”
One of the biggest contributing factors to the team’s vast
improvement was the addition of new players, specifically junior
transfer Martin Galstyan and junior defender Niki Kollar. Galstyan
leads the team with 42 goals this season, which is more than the
combined total for the next four highest scorers.
“We have much more depth this year with the addition of
Marty and Niki,” senior forward Brian Song said. “The
added players have given us depth defensively and a lot more
production on offense.”
However, wins over USC and defending Pac-8 Champion Cal
weren’t the result of just a few players.
The team’s first place standing in the Pac-8 and No. 8
ranking in the West in the American Collegiate Hockey Association
poll is in large part due to the returning players’ increased
chemistry and stronger commitment to conditioning.
“Almost all of the players have a year of experience
playing with each other, so we all know each other really
well,” Medina said. “We’ve also been propelled by
the amount of effort everyone has put into the team. Last year, the
team experienced so many losses that they had no motivation to
improve, but now we have an energy and excitement about winning
that drives us to get better.”
Desire alone would not have vaulted UCLA to the top of the
conference though. Fortunately for the Bruins, they also have the
talent necessary to compete with any team.
“The overall talent of the team has definitely increased
since last year,” senior forward Eric Allen said. “The
entire team returned from last year, and with the addition of a few
players, we now have added depth that allows us to wear teams out.
We also have two of the best goaltenders in the league.”
A great deal of the team’s success this season can be
attributed to coach Michael Kelly, who has seen the Bruins flourish
under his new system.
“The coach is here all the time and has improved us in
terms of our conditioning,” Samec said. “He is
committed to coaching and has given us a new system that has helped
us win.”
The Bruins hope that all their recent improvements will power
them to victory in the Pac-8 Championships this weekend and give
them their first conference title in six years.
“The USC game showed that we can play from behind or with
a lead,” Allen said. “We have the ability to dominate
any team, and if we play our game, anything less than a
championship will be a disappointment.”